Union Election Commission announces preliminary candidate lists

The country’s two main political parties, the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), will each field more than 1,000 candidates in the 8 November general election.

According to preliminary candidate lists announced this week by the Union Election Commission (UEC), 93 political parties have nominated a total of 5,866 candidates the Global New Light of Myanmar reported on 21 August.

The ruling party accounts for 1,134 and the opposition 1,151, topping the candidate list. Of the ruling party candidates, 318 will seek seats in the PyithuHluttaw (Lower House), 165 in the Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) and 651 for region and state hluttaws. NLD candidates will contest 325 seats of the Pyithu Hluttaw, 167 in the Amyotha Hluttaw and 659 for region and state hluttaws.

The total number of candidates who have registered for the election stands at 6,189.

According to a UEC announcement last month, 330 constituencies will be contested in the Pyithu Hluttaw, 168 in the Amyotha Hluttaw, 644 for region and state Hluttaws and 29 for national race representatives.

The UEC is currently scrutinizing the nomination of candidates from the political parties, and a list of candidates who have passed the scrutiny process is expected to be announced on 27 August.